The Biggest Brawls in Sports History

The rules and social guidelines that drive the routine masses on a daily basis don't apply to the world of sports. Chewing ears and chucking helmets might be frowned upon on the streets of normalcy, but they are only teasing appetizers to a meal of pure athletic madness that arises during heated moments.

Utterances of "those classless degenerates" flood arenas with every scuffle. But with passionate and ruthless competitors constantly clawing for that extra inch, adrenaline-filled melees can only be expected.

Sometimes, however, a two-headed bout becomes a stadium-filled fiasco. Blood and shattered clavicles aren't the only remains, though, as ferocious rounds of applause coat the brutal atmosphere. Fans can't get enough.

Let's see which brawls conquered the record books. The biggest fights in sports history.

20. Xavier Musketeers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Dubbed the Crosstown Shootout, the two-mile rivalry between Xavier and Cincinnati has always been among the fiercest in college basketball. Statistically, it's the closest.

Cincy's Octavius Ellis and Xavier's Mark Lyons engaging in a nonchalant barking was the first sign of trouble. But it was only the start.

Perhaps Musketeer Kenny Frease got the worst of it after his face met with Yancy Gates' Bearcat fist in the midst of the large scuffle. Frease's resemblance of Thomas Hearns' cheeks after the boxer's three-round "War" against Marvin Hagler was legendary.

After Xavier's 76-53 "victory"—which the referees finished with 9.4 seconds remaining—four players from each squad were suspended.

19. Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators

As Ottawa's Ray Emery and Buffalo's Martin Biron strayed from their respective creases, it became clear a goaltending masterpiece was on the horizon. The gloves were tossed, the red lights unplugged—this was war.

But an exciting start would soon become a feast for Emery, who then had to face the wrath of notorious goon Andrew Peters after pummeling Biron. Emery's smug smile was then tarnished by the 6'4" Peters, but quickly revived by a legendary 22 penalty minutes.

12. Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings

Looking for payback since the moment Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux checked Red Wings center Kris Draper into the boards during Game 6 of the '96 Western Conference finals, Detroit seemed giddy from the start.

9. New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

The legend of former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy traces back to the first round of the '98 Eastern Conference playoffs, during the waning moments of New York's 90-85 Game 4 victory over the Heat.

Fans and pundits alike couldn't help but cheer on the measly coach as he clung to life—"life" more eloquently known as Alonzo Mourning's tree-trunk leg. An inspirational moment for the Knickerbocker faithful.

8. Canada vs. U.S.S.R.

Iconically named the Punch-up in Piestany, the bruising display that occurred during the final game of the 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships saw both teams get disqualified (Soviets were already out, but the disqualification cost Canada a chance at a medal).

In an effort to stop the 20-minute melee, officials turned the lights off...naturally to no avail. Featured in the game were future NHL stars Brendan Shanahan, Theoren Fleury, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Mogilny.

4. Minnesota North Stars vs. Boston Bruins

All it took was seven seconds of this '81 battle for Minnesota's Bobby Smith and Boston's Steve Kasper to engage in the art of tossing fisticuffs. With the North Stars, until that point, sitting at 0-27-7 at the Boston Garden, they needed to turn things up a notch (bam).

Penalties totaled 67, with 341 minutes being assessed and 12 players being ejected...at the end of the first period. By the end of the game, 42 penalties were handed down, totaling 406 minutes. A record-setting night, or as ESPN Classic called it, the "mother of all hockey brawls."

3. Miami Hurricanes vs. FIU Golden Panthers

Nine miles couldn't separate these two Florida programs from unleashing the beast in the 2006 City Line Series opener. FIU's Don Strock was "embarrassed." Miami's Larry Coker was "shocked and angered." The sports world was frozen in bewilderment, enamored with such passionate disdain.

1. Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers

During the most reckless moment in NBA history—fittingly named "The Malice at the Palace"—hard shoves turned into scrums, and tossed drinks turned into disaster for the irresponsible fans involved.

Nine players were eventually suspended without pay for a total of 146 games, while $11 million in salary was lost by the players. Five players were also charged with assault, and several fans were banned from Pistons home games for life.

This 2004 wreckage left a permanent dent in the professional hardwood.